Industry News
Contactless Payment Limits in the UK: A Complete Guide
Understanding the current contactless limits, why they exist, and how merchants can optimise their payment acceptance for tap-and-go transactions.
Understanding UK Contactless Limits
Since the contactless payment limit increased to £100 in October 2021, tap-and-go transactions have become the default for most in-person purchases.
Current Contactless Limits
- Standard contactless limit: £100 per transaction
- Cumulative limit: £300 before PIN required (varies by issuer)
- Mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay): No upper limit when authenticated with biometrics
Why Limits Exist
Contactless limits are primarily a fraud prevention measure. Without PIN verification, stolen cards could be used repeatedly.
Optimising for Contactless
Ensure your terminal supports contactless for transactions up to £100. Position the terminal so customers can easily tap. Train staff to guide customers on where to tap.
The Future of Contactless
Industry insiders predict limits will continue to rise, with some European countries already testing £150 equivalents.